As the initiator of the “2025 Antarctic Circumnavigation” event, Zhai Mo, China’s Navigation Science Ambassador, National Ocean Public Welfare Image Ambassador, and the first Chinese to sail around the world, set sail on the 10th from Shanghai Bailianjing Pier aboard the twin-masted ocean-going sailboat “Zhai Mo 1”, embarking on the first human voyage to circumnavigate Antarctica along the Antarctic Circle.
“2025 Antarctic Circumnavigation” is a polar global sailing cultural public welfare activity that connects various fields and disciplines along the Antarctic route, including environmental protection, scientific research, exploration, and cultural exchanges, with Zhai Mo serving as the chief captain.
Also joining the voyage are marine culture scholars, documentary directors, international communication directors, and short video creators. They will use methods such as maritime satellite-linked science popularization classes, real-time live streaming on social platforms, short videos, and public accounts to showcase the authentic transoceanic journey to the poles, conduct cultural exchanges with countries and regions along the route, and advocate for the protection of marine and polar ecosystems.
During this event, the “Zhai Mo 1” will pass through the East China Sea and the South Pacific, cross the Westerlies to enter the Southern Ocean. The sailboat is expected to traverse the Drake Passage around the end of this year, call at China’s Antarctic Great Wall Station, Zhongshan Station, and Qinling Station around the Spring Festival, and then return to Shanghai. The entire journey will take approximately one year, covering a total distance of about 36,000 nautical miles.
Zhai Mo stated that he will act as an advocate for ecological protection, using practical actions to raise global awareness for the protection of marine and polar ecosystems.
It is understood that this is Zhai Mo’s third global sailing voyage. He became involved with sailing at the age of 32. In 2007, at the age of 39, Zhai Mo began his global sailing journey, completing a solo non-powered sailboat circumnavigation of the globe in two and a half years, becoming the “first Chinese to sail around the world solo in a non-powered sailboat”.
On June 30, 2021, Zhai Mo set sail from Shanghai, navigated through the Arctic’s “Death Passage”, and finally, after more than 500 days and covering over 28,000 nautical miles, returned to Shanghai, completing the first non-stop circumnavigation of the Arctic Ocean in human history.
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